At a Glance
Rates & Fees
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Key Features
Designed for applicants new to credit
$0 annual fee
At least $250 in Chase checking or savings may improve approval chances for applicants with no card history
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flat 1.5% rewards without category tracking
- Chase reviews eligible accounts annually for an upgrade to Freedom Unlimited
- No annual fee
Tradeoffs
- Chase does not publish a minimum score; the displayed score is only a comparison estimate
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No introductory purchase APR advertised
How to Apply
Check Chase's eligibility information and any prequalification option. A credit score alone does not establish approval; income, debt and credit history also matter.
Gather your Social Security number, annual income, housing payment, and employer details before starting the application.
Apply directly through Chase's official site or app to make sure you're getting current, accurate offer terms.
Most issuers give an instant decision online; some applications are sent to manual review, which can take 7–10 business days.
If approved, activate the card and set up autopay before your first statement is due to avoid a late payment.
How It Compares
Current product highlighted| Product | Annual Fee | Purchase APR | Rewards Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Rise® | $0 | 18.24%–27.74% | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | $0 | 16.49%–25.49% | 5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr) after activation, 1% everything else |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards | $0 | 18.49%–28.49% | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase |
| Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card | $0 | Charge card | Up to 5% cash back on a chosen category with Chime Prime (2% with Chime Plus), capped at $1,500/mo in eligible purchases; no rewards for base Chime members |
Rates, fees, and rewards shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying.